Archive for the 'Brian Jones' Tag Under 'Soundcheck' Category

July 24th, 2011, 11:45 am by ROBERT KINSLER, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

It has been both interesting and instructive to watch how popular so-called tribute acts have become in recent years. While there have long been salutes to the Beatles, ever since the success of Beatlemania in the late '70s, there are now tributes to everybody from Journey to the Doors, Queen to David Bowie, Heart to the Smiths, all playing to enthusiastic crowds (and often at the OC Fair this summer).

But "The Greatest Show That Never Was" provided a fascinating boost to the growing parade of musicians emulating famous groups, with Saturday fare at Pacific Amphitheatre featuring a hypothetical bill featuring the Beatles (played by the Fab Four) and the Rolling Stones (courtesy of Jumping Jack Flash).

Whether because ticket prices to see the real Stones or Paul McCartney are routinely in the triple digits (even for cheaper seats at their shows) or because tributes offer strictly nostalgia and classic hits, casual concert-goers seem to be increasingly comfortable cheering on the singer-actors portraying the real-life icons. Indeed, there were only a few small blocks of empty seats at the back of the venue this night.

"The Greatest Show That Never Was" also had a foolproof approach, the Fab Four and Jumping Jack Flash alternating sets over the course of two hours. While one group was playing, the other had time to change into attire reflecting another era. That meant no downtime or intermission was required.

Things kicked off with actor Jerry Hoban portraying Ed Sullivan introducing the Fab Four, who came out as the Beatles as they appeared in early '64. McCartney (played and sung by the excellent Ardy Sarraf) would ultimately do most of the heavy lifting in terms of really locking in the Beatles vibe, his voice a close match to Sir Paul's and his commitment to the part including the ability to play the bass and acoustic guitar left-handed. But Ron McNeil (as John Lennon), Gavin Pring (as George Harrison) and Erik Fidel (as Ringo Starr) all handled their parts well.

Police were called in at 4:05 U.K. time following reports of a woman found deceased at a Camden Square address. Details of the exact cause of death won't be known until an autopsy is conducted, most likely Sunday or Monday, according to Scotland Yard. But by Saturday afternoon news agencies in the U.K. reported it was a drug overdose, confirming one of the least surprising celebrity deaths in decades.

Winehouse had routinely fallen in and out of treatment for substance abuse (including heroin use) and on more than one occasion had a near-death experience. She recently returned to live performing, but last month canceled the remainder of a European tour after a show in Serbia where she seemed thoroughly dazed and confused.

Ironically, earlier Saturday her manager had stated: "Amy Winehouse is withdrawing from all scheduled performances. Everyone involved wishes to do everything they can to help her return to her best and she will be given as long as it takes for this to happen."